POURING IN AND POURING OUT
Part 6

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the LORD of hosts”
(Zechariah 4:6).

HE GROWS AND HARVESTS A GARDEN IN US AND THROUGH US

Galatians 5:22, 23 gives us a list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which He wants to daily grow in our lives and bring forth a big harvest. We have already talked about the fruits of LOVE and JOY. But as you know, there are more.

HE POURS HIS PEACE IN US AND THROUGH US

It’s easy to feel peaceful when everything is going fine, but what about when everything goes wrong? The Holy Spirit gives God’s peace which is not dependent on circumstances. When His peace reigns in our hearts, we bring peace to our family and all around us.

HE POURS HIS LONGSUFFERING IN US AND THROUGH US

It’s not so easy to experience this attribute in our fleshly lives, is it? Praise God for the power of the Holy Spirit who works patience and longsuffering in us. By His power, He enables us to forbear with the idiosyncrancies and annoyances of those we live with. As mothers, we certainly need the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts every moment of the day, especially the anointing of longsuffering!

HE POURS HIS GENTLENESS IN US AND THROUGH US

How can you be gentle and kind when people hurt you? How can you speak gentle and kind words when people misuse you? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit. The wonderful thing is that when you let Him work His gentleness and kindness in you and through your life, it changes the attitude of others and makes them want to be kind too. This is the amazing thing about the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He works in us to bless us and enable us to walk in victory, but in doing so, He enables us to bless many others.

HE POUR HIS GOODNESS IN US AND THROUGH US

Because the Holy Spirit works in us we do good things. We speak good things. Goodness pours out of lives to others. The word agathosume means we are generous, big-hearted, liberal, and love to give financially.

HE POURS HIS FAITH IN US AND THROUGH US

The word “faith” is the Greek word pistis, which is the common New Testament word for faith. It portrays a person who not only has faith to belief in Christ, but who is faithful, reliable, loyal, trustworthy, dependable, truthful, unwavering, and steadfast. Someone with moral convictions.

If we are lazy and unreliable, we need the Holy Spirit to make us diligent and dependable. This is the work of the Holy Spirit because it is the nature of God. God is totally dependable. Totally truthful. Totally trustworthy. He never changes and it is impossible for Him to lie. The Holy Spirit wants to work this grace in our lives as He molds us into the image of Christ.

HE WORKS HIS MEEKNESS IN US AND THROUGH US

This word also means humility. If we are too proud to say sorry, submit to our husbands, or receive instruction, then the Holy Spirit is relegated to the corner of our lives. He wants to have full sway in our lives to grow in us a spirit of softness and humility. 1 Peter 3:4 enjoins us: “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

HE WORKS HIS SELF CONTROL IN US AND THROUGH US

Self-control is the last fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22, 23, although there are more listed in Ephesians 5:9 and Colossians 3:12-15 such as “righteousness and truth” and “bowels of mercies, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.” What a glorious harvest the Holy Spirit works in our lives as we allow Him.

Once again, we need the power of the Holy Spirit for self-control. Truly, it is Holy Spirit control. When we allow Him the freedom to live and move in our lives, He enables us to rule our fleshly nature by His Spirit. We cannot do it in our own strength. It is only by the power of the Spirit.

As we conclude talking about all the wonderful things the Holy Spirit does in our lives, we must remind ourselves:

“Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

“Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Love and blessings, Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“I thank You, dear Father, that you have given me Your Holy Spirit to work in my life all the beautiful attributes of God’s character. I don’t want to hold back from You. Please utterly fill my heart and life and work mightily in me, even if it is hurtful to my flesh. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

My flesh is ugly, but the Holy Spirit works the beauty of Christ in me.